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Abstract:

A slip style bobber comprising a hollow central housing constructed from
a first mating half and second mating half. The hollow central housing
includes a mounting member for the attachment of a pair of printed
circuit boards having a replaceable power source, a switch, and a light
source. A pair of tubes arranged coaxial are received within mounting
member and extend from the interior of the housing to the exterior of the
bobber. The bobber is water tight and constructed out of a translucent
plastic to allow for illumination of the device during low light
conditions. The bobber is multi colored and reversible.

Claims:

1. A slip style bobber for fishing comprising: a hollow central housing
constructed from a joining of a first mating half and a second mating
half; the first and the second mating halves being conically shaped and
having a wide end and a narrow end, the narrow ends including a aperture,
the wide ends adapted to be joined to create the hollow central housing;
a pair of printed circuit boards having a power source, a light source,
and a switch; a mounting member received within the hollow central
housing, the mounting member having a central tubular cavity, a first
lobe, and a second lobe opposite the first lobe, the lobes having a
groove and a raised detent for securing the printed circuit boards; a
first slip tube received within the central tubular cavity, the first
slip tube cylindrically shaped with a diameter and having a inner side, a
outer side, a interior end, and a exterior end, the interior end having a
pair of radial grooves extending along the diameter of the outer side,
the exterior end extending from the interior of the housing to the
exterior of the bobber through the aperture of the narrow end of the
housing; a pair of o-ring gaskets received within the radial grooves of
the first slip tube; a second slip tube received within the central
tubular cavity coaxial to the first slip tube, the second slip tube
identical to the first slip tube; a pair of o-ring gaskets received
within the radial grooves of the second slip tube; and a central o-ring
gasket restrained between the joint of the first mating member and the
second mating member.

2. The slip style bobber as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first mating
half includes a rib to be received in a notch of the first lobe and
second lobe.

3. The slip style bobber as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light source
is a light emitting diode.

4. The slip style bobber as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first mating
half and the second mating half are different colors.

[0004] The present invention relates to slip style bobber that is both
lighted and reversible.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] A bobber is a small float attached to a fishing line to suspend a
lure or baited hook at a desired depth and to indicate when a fish has
bit or swallowed the bait by moving or "bobbing" below the surface. A
typical bobber attaches to the fishing line at a desired depth by being
tied to or otherwise affixed to the line using a latching or hooking
mechanism. Because a traditional bobber is affixed to the line at a
desired depth, the depth cannot be set too deep, due to casting problems,
the line cannot be fully reeled in, due to the fixed point of the bobber,
and the line can be become damaged. Therefore, a slip bobber was created
to solve these problems.

[0006] The slip bobber is a style of fishing bobber in which the bobber is
allowed to travel freely on a fishing line. A typical slip bobber
consists of a float and a tube located central to the float to allow for
the passage of the fishing line through the float. In use, a user will
affix a slip knot larger than the diameter of the tube to the fishing
line to adjust the depth of fishing. This knot prevents the line from
passing through the tube maintaining the proper depth of fishing.
Additionally, the knot is small enough to pass through the rod guides and
not interfere with the reel or reel mechanism.

[0007] Although a standard slip bobber has been proven to work for its
intended purpose, various improvements to the bobber are required to
improve visibility during fishing, to allow for reversibility of the
bobber, and to improve the longevity of the bobber.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention provides an improved slip bobber that is both
reversible and illuminated to increase visibility at night. Further, this
illuminated slip bobber includes an on/off switch and replaceable
batteries to increase the longevity of both the batteries and the device.

[0009] The reversible illuminated slip bobber includes a hollow central
housing composed of a first mating half and a second mating half, a pair
of printed circuit boards ("PCBs") including a light source, a switch,
and a power source, a mounting member, a first slip tube including a
first pair of o-ring gaskets, a second slip tube including a second pair
of o-ring gaskets, and a central o-ring gasket.

[0010] The hollow central housing is assembled from the joining of the
first mating half and the second mating half. Each mating half is conical
in shape having a wide end and a narrow end. The narrow end includes an
aperture sized to receive the slip tube. The wide ends are adapted to be
removably joined together in a water tight seal. Preferably this joint is
screw type joint with the first mating half having a male end and the
second mating half having a female end adapted to receive the male end.
To make this joint water tight, a central o-ring gasket is restrained
between this joint. Preferably, the first mating half includes a rib to
engage the mounting member and prevent rotation of the mounting member
within the housing.

[0011] The hollow central housing is designed to provide buoyancy to keep
the bobber floating on the surface of the water and is composed of
translucent plastic to allow for the transmission light from within the
housing to the exterior of the bobber. Additionally, the first mating
half and the second mating half are composed of a different color
plastic. This difference in color of the first mating half and the second
mating half allows the device to be reversible, wherein the user may
remove the bobber from the fishing line, turn the bobber endwise 180
degrees and reinstall the bobber onto the fishing line. This
reversibility allows multiple users fishing in close vicinity to have a
different color bobber visible on the surface. Preferably several
different colors are available to allow for a multitude of color
combinations and customization.

[0012] The mounting member is disposed within the hollow central housing
to secure the electronic components of the device. The mounting member
includes a central tubular cavity to receive the first slip tube coaxial
to the second slip tube, a first lobe positioned at the midpoint of a
length of the central tubular cavity, and a second lobe opposite the
first lobe, wherein the lobes are in communication with a sidewall of the
central housing. Each lobe includes a groove and a raised detent to
secure and retain the PCBs within the mounting member. Preferably, the
lobes include a notch to engage the rib to secure the mounting member
within the housing.

[0013] The PCBs are designed to be received within the housing and secured
to the mounting member. The PCBs have a aperture to engage the raised
detent and are sized to be received within the groove. The PCBs include a
power source, a switch, and light source. Preferably the light source is
a light emitting diode ("LED") and the power source is a pair of small
button style batteries, although other sources of light and power with
similar sizes and properties may be used. The switch transfers power from
the batteries through the PCB and to the light source where the stored
energy of the battery illuminates the light source. The light source may
be colored to correspond to or enhance the color of the plastic of the
housing.

[0014] A first slip tube and second slip tube are removably received
coaxial within the central tubular cavity of the mounting member at an
interior end of the slip tube. The first slip tube and the second slip
tube are identical in size, shape, and features. The fishing line is
threaded through the slip tubes in use. The slip tubes are hollow
cylinders defining a diameter with an inner side, an outer side, the
interior end, and an exterior end. The interior end includes a pair of
radial grooves extending along the diameter of the outer side for the
receipt of the pair of o-ring gaskets. The o-ring gaskets have a diameter
corresponding to the diameter of the slip tube and provide a water tight
seal.

[0015] The exterior end extends outward from the interior of the cavity to
the exterior of the device through the aperture of the housing. The
exterior end of the tube is secured within the aperture with adhesive to
create a water tight seal. In use the first slip tube and second slip
tube will be permanently secured to the first mating half and the second
mating half using adhesive to seal and secure the tubes with the
aperture. Preferably the slip tubes will be transparent to allow for the
transmission of light from the light source.

[0016] In use, the slip bobber will be packaged in its assembled form. To
use the bobber according to the present invention, the user will thread
the fishing line through the first slip tube and the second slip tube,
wherein the bobber will travel along the length of the fishing line. To
illuminate the bobber, the user will open the bobber by separating the
first mating half and second mating half of the housing. This separation
will give the user access to the PCBs within the housing. The user will
activate the appropriate switch to illuminate the desired half. The user
may also replace worn out batteries, if necessary. To turn off the light,
the process is reversed. Additionally, the device is easily reversed to
an alternate color by flipping the device over and rethreading the line
through the device.

[0017] The illumination of the device will increase the visibility of the
device during low light or no light conditions. Typically, a user will
only illuminate the half of the bobber seen above the surface of water,
so as to not disturb the fish, although the light source for each half of
the bobber can be illuminated independently.

[0018] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device is
sold with both a one inch (1 in.) diameter and a one and one half inch
(1.5 in.) diameter. Although, these are the preferred diameters, the
necessary parts may be adapted to various sizes and diameters by changing
their scale to accommodate a larger or smaller size. Additionally,
various colored housing and light members may be used and sold to allow
for a myriad of customizable color configurations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0019] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further
understanding of the present invention and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate
exemplary embodiments of the present invention and together with the
description serve to further explain the principles of the invention.
Other aspects of the invention and the advantages of the invention will
be better appreciated as they become better understood by reference to
the Detailed Description when considered in conjunction with accompanying
drawings, and wherein:

[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of device, according to the present
invention;

[0021] FIG. 2 is a side view of the device, according to the present
invention;

[0022] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the device, according to the present
invention;

[0023] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the internal components installed
in the device, according to the present invention; and

[0024] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the mounting member of the device,
according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Referring now to FIGS. 1-4A of the reversible illuminated slip
bobber according to the present invention is generally referred to as 10.
This bobber 10 is designed to float upon the surface of the water and
alert a user to the presence of a fish on the attached line. This bobber
10 illuminates at night to increase visibility and is reversible to allow
users fishing in close proximity to have a different visible appearance
of the bobber to prevent confusion. The bobber 10 is rigged similar to a
traditional slip bobber using a slip knot to control the depth of the
line relative to the bobber. Further, this illuminated slip bobber
includes an on/off switch and replaceable batteries to increase the
longevity of both the batteries and the device.

[0026] According to the standard configuration of a slip bobber, the
bobber 10 is slipped onto the fishing line of the user and allowed to
slide freely on this line. A user will establish the appropriate depth to
fish at and affix a slip knot to the line at this point. This slip knot
is constructed of a size to allow for the knot to pass through the rod
guides, but not through the slip bobber itself. This allows the user to
easily reel in and cast the lure without having to worry about the depth
setting of the bobber and prevents damage to the fishing line as the
bobber is not directly affixed to the fishing line.

[0027] The reversible illuminated slip bobber 10 includes a hollow central
housing 100 composed of a first mating half 101 and a second mating half
102, a pair of printed circuit boards ("PCBs") 200 including a light
source 201, a switch 202, and a power source 203, a mounting member 300,
a first slip tube 400 including a first pair of o-ring gaskets 401, a
second slip tube 500 including a second pair of o-ring gaskets 501, and a
central o-ring gasket 103.

[0028] The hollow central housing 100 is assembled from the joining of the
first mating half 101 and the second mating half 102. Each mating half
101, 102 is conical in shape having a wide end 104 and a narrow end 105.
The narrow end 105 includes an aperture 106 sized to receive one of the
slip tubes 400, 500. The wide ends 104 are adapted to be removably joined
together in a water tight seal. Preferably this joint is screw type joint
with the first mating half 101 having a male end 111 and the second
mating half 102 having a female end 112 adapted to receive the male end
111. To make this joint water tight, a central o-ring gasket 103 is
restrained between this joint. Preferably, the first mating half 101
includes a rib 120 to engage the mounting member 300 and prevent rotation
of the mounting member 300 within the housing.

[0029] The hollow central housing 100 is designed to provide buoyancy and
keep the bobber 10 floating on the surface of the water. The hollow
central housing 100 is composed of translucent plastic to allow for the
transmission light from within the housing 100 to the exterior of the
bobber 10. Additionally, the first mating half 101 and the second mating
half 102 are composed of a different color plastic. This difference in
color of the first mating half 101 and the second mating half 102 allows
the device to be reversible, wherein the user may remove the bobber 10
from the fishing line, turn the bobber endwise 180 degrees and reinstall
the bobber 10 onto the fishing line. This reversibility allows multiple
users fishing in close vicinity to have a different color bobber visible
on the surface. Preferably several different colors are available to
allow for a multitude of color combinations and customization.

[0030] The mounting member 300 is disposed within the hollow central
housing 100 to secure the electronic components of the device 10. The
mounting member 300 includes a central tubular cavity 301 to receive the
first slip tube 400 coaxial to the second slip tube 500, a first lobe 302
positioned at the midpoint of a length of the central tubular cavity 301,
and a second lobe 303 opposite the first lobe 302, wherein the lobes are
in communication with a sidewall of the central housing 100. Each lobe
302, 303 includes a groove 304 and a raised detent 305 to secure and
retain the PCBs 200 within the mounting member 300. Preferably, the lobes
302, 303 include a notch 306 to engage the rib 120 to secure the mounting
member 300 within the housing 100.

[0031] The PCBs 200 are designed to be received within the housing 100 and
secured to the mounting member 300. The PCBs 200 have a aperture 204 to
engage the raised detent 305 and are sized to be received within the
groove 304. The PCBs 200 include a power source 203, a switch 202, and
light source 201. Preferably the light source 201 is a light emitting
diode ("LED") and the power source 203 is a pair of small button style
batteries, although other sources of light and power with similar sizes
and properties may be used. The switch 202 transfers power from the
batteries 203 through the PCB 200 and to the light source 201 where the
stored energy of the battery illuminates the light source 201. The light
source 201 may be colored to correspond to or enhance the color of the
plastic of the housing 100 the light source 201 illuminates.

[0032] A first slip tube 400 and second slip tube 500 are removably
received coaxial within the central tubular cavity 301 of the mounting
member 300 at an interior end 404, 504 of the slip tube 400, 500. The
first slip tube 400 and the second slip tube 500 are identical in size,
shape, and features. The fishing line is threaded through the slip tubes
400, 500 in use. The slip tubes 400, 500 are hollow cylinders defining a
diameter with an inner side 402, 502, an outer side 403, 503, the
interior end 404, 504, and an exterior end 405, 505. The interior end
404, 504 includes a pair of radial grooves 406, 506 extending along the
diameter of the outer side 403, 503 for the receipt of the pair of o-ring
gaskets 401, 501. The o-ring gaskets 401, 501 have a diameter
corresponding to the diameter of the slip tube 400, 500 and provide a
water tight seal.

[0033] The exterior end 405, 505 extends outward from the interior of the
housing 100 to the exterior of the device 10 through the aperture 106 of
the housing 100. The exterior end 405, 505 of the tube 400, 500 is
secured within the apertures 106 with adhesive to create a water tight
seal. In use the first slip tube 400 and second slip tube 500 will be
permanently secured to the first mating half 101 and the second mating
half 102 using adhesive to seal and secure the tubes 400, 500 with the
apertures 106. Preferably the slip tubes 400, 500 will be transparent to
allow for the transmission of light from the light source 201.

[0034] In use the slip bobber 10 will be packaged in its assembled form.
To use the bobber 10 according to the present invention, the user will
thread the fishing line through the first slip tube 400 and the second
slip tube 500, wherein the bobber 10 will travel along the length of the
fishing line. To illuminate the bobber 10, the user will open the bobber
10 by separating the first mating half 101 and second mating half 102 of
the housing 100. This separation will give the user access to the PCBs
200 within the housing 100. The user will activate the appropriate switch
202 to illuminate the desired half 101, 102. The user may also replace
worn out batteries 203, if necessary. To turn off the light 201, the
process is reversed. Additionally, the device 10 is easily reversed to an
alternate color by flipping the device 10 over and rethreading the line
through the device 10.

[0035] The illumination of the device 10 will increase the visibility of
the device during low light or no light conditions. Typically, a user
will only illuminate the half of the bobber 10 seen above the surface of
water, so as to not disturb the fish, although the light source 201 for
each half of the bobber can be illuminated independently.

[0036] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device is
sold with both a one inch (1 in.) diameter and a one and one half inch
(1.5 in.) diameter. Although, these are the preferred diameters, the
necessary parts may be adapted to various sizes and diameters by changing
their scale to accommodate a larger or smaller size. Additionally,
various colored housing 100 and light members 201 may be used and sold to
allow for a myriad of customizable color configurations.